But Wait! There's More Nuttiness!

Marianne and Kenzie, my girls' role models.

Everyone's favorite person, Jen.  It's because of her clipboard that everyone wants to be near her, just to feel the power.  You didn't know clipboards were powerful?  They are.

This is what Jen does to people.

Clytie wanted the Opening Night poem in the boutique, so I rolled up a few and made them look pretty.

Golda's gifts were votive candles in glass with a quote from Henry David Thoreau that said, "Nature is full of genius, full of the divine, so that no snowflake escapes its fashioning hand."  Being in Company, the girls came home with a huge box of goodies and favors from the other dancers.

Ruby gave the other two Maids a pointe shoe pouch from the Paris Opera House, since the Maids wore black pointe shoes.  She was really excited about these gifts.  When we brought her one from our trip, she called Coco to see if she could go back to the opera house and buy two more for her friends.  Fortunately, Coco loves a quest as much as she loves the idea of the perfect gift.  Thanks, Coco!

Look at my backstage pass!  Almost as powerful as a clipboard!

Company warm-up

Can you feel the energy of the dressing room?

Grandparents were so excited to see the show!  Thanks for coming!

The maids get to ham it up onstage during the whole party scene.  They move fake food around, pretend to talk and laugh and mimic the dancers.  And, of course, they have their own dance.  I was never at a good spot to take a picture of it, though.  I was always busy holding my breath on behalf of Ruby's knee.  There was no need to worry; the Maids were great every time!

Party parents.  They were fabulous!  Great job on the high five circle and the electric slides!

Wait, this isn't a ballet recital!  On Friday night, Ari and I took a detour and went to her cello play-in during the first act.  Luckily, it was right up the street and we were back for Chinese.  Ari did great!  She has been rehearsing her four pieces for weeks in her lessons and in cello ensemble rehearsals, which are in Ogden at the same time as group guitar is in Salt Lake.  This is probably why Golda doesn't want to get her drivers' license.  She doesn't need a part-time, non-paying chauffeur job!  That's OK.  I love driving the kids around.  Love, love.  So does Scott.  It's good bonding time.

Ari couldn't try out for Nutcracker this year because she missed a rehearsal last year.  It was very strict.  She was commended for taking her lumps without complaining, though.  I was proud of her.  It's always good to have an opportunity for character building.

I don't think Ruby was sad in this picture.  She was ecstatic all week long!  But I love the picture.

Maybe she was sad.  There was one night where I was harping on all three girls for supposedly being irresponsible and not getting things done.  I was on a rampage.  I yelled, "You probably haven't even written your talks for the thing on Sunday!  Golda, what is your talk even about?"  Glumly, she replied, "Not letting anyone dim your sparkle."  Ugh.  Man, was I dimming some sparkle right then.  I wish parenting didn't involve so much apologizing.

Here is some sparkle that is definitely not dimmed!  My class.  I love teaching the Chinese.  They were perfect!  I heard they tied for the win for the Backstage Award for nicest group.  Chinese won last year, so the Sugar Plums got the prize this time.  My Chinese went out of their way to be polite and quiet.  Great girls!  I'm so lucky to teach this dance.

Notes after Snow

We missed Lexie!!!  But thanks for supporting us.  We love you guys.

 Between the Saturday matinee and night performances, some of Ruby's friends came over and all the girls had pizza and watched the DVD from Nutcracker 2009.  They were all so little back then!

 The loot from all the other girls.

 Did I tell you Golda won the cover art contest?  She has been dying to win it since she was four.  Every year, she plans out and draws several entries.  She thinks about it all year.  We're so glad she got a chance to win!  Thanks, Clytie!

After the last performance, Golda and Ruby still hadn't had enough Nutcracker, so they tried to teach Tziporah how to be the Arabian soloist.  She didn't want to go in the box, but she liked riding on Ruby's shoulder!  She has some work to do on her turnout.  Look at that foot!  And she has to grow her arms longer to be Arabian.  Good thing she has plenty of time!  First, the girls have to coach Xanthe on being the first Asian Clara in our production. :)  Xanthe is all for it.  With her personality, I can just see her getting the Nutcracker from Drosselmeyer.  She gracefully accepts the nutcracker, but then the production screeches to a halt.  "But wait.  Does it really crack nuts?  Can I have a nut?  What kind of nut?  What if it doesn't work?  Can I have a drink with the nuts?  Can you crack the nuts for me?  How many can I have?"   I just hope she's not cast as a cookie!  hee hee.

And Nutcracker is over.  Real life is not as exciting, but we'll have to remember to sparkle and shine, even when we're not wearing a tiara.  For more on that, here's Golda's wonderful talk from yesterday. Sparkle on!